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Virginia Buechner-Maxwell

Dr. Virginia Buechner-Maxwell, professor and large animal internal medicine specialist in the Department of Large Animal
Clinical Sciences, was appointed director of the Center for Animal Human Relationships in June 2016. Prior to her
appointment, she served as a member of the center's advisory board since 2012 and earned an advanced certificate in
Animal Assisted Therapy Activities and Learning from the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work.

Dr. Buechner-Maxwell completed a bachelor's degree in biology and secondary education from Goucher College in 1976,
a master’s degree in cell and molecular biology in 1987, and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland
College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. She earned a second master’s degree in veterinary clinical medicine from
the veterinary college in 1991. Dr. Buechner-Maxwell also completed an equine surgery and medicine internship from Chino
Valley Equine Hospital in Chino, California, and an equine internal medicine residency from Virginia Tech’s Marion
duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia. In 1994, she achieved Diplomate status from the American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Dr. Buechner-Maxwell's plans for the center include expanding the organization's research activities to better understand and
document the benefits of the animal-human relationship while continuing to maintain the already established programs.
Because of her background in large animal medicine, she is particularly interested in studying the impact of
equine-assisted programs on human health. She also hopes to enhance collaborative efforts at the center.

Virginia Corrigan

Dr. Virginia Corrigan joined the college in 2013 as the house officer in the combined American Board of
Veterinary Practitioners canine-feline
residency and master's degree in human animal bond studies program.

Dr. Corrigan is a 2010 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a one
year rotating internship at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, Colorado and then spent two years at the Small
Animal General Practice and Emergency Animal Medical Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina as an associate veterinarian.

Dr. Corrigan has an interest in the human animal bond, the role of the animal partner in Animal Assisted
Activities, and promoting fitness and wellness through human-animal interactions. She is a member of the
AVMA Future Leaders Program and was the recipient of the 2008 John C. New, Jr. Award for Promotion of the
Human-Animal Bond.

Yogi

Yogi is a 7-year-old Golden Retriever. He was rescued at 2.5
years of age in Colorado. He earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs International certifications in 2013 and joined the
VT Helping PAWS therapy dog team in July 2013.

Yogi spends several days per week at the veterinary college, providing happiness and comfort to faculty, staff, and students. Additionally,
he spends one day per week at Virginia Tech's Cook Counseling Center and one day per month at the Blacksburg Library participating in
the PAWS To Read program.